Delaware Park picks and analysis: August 19, 2023

Live racing at Delaware Park kicks off May 24 and runs through late October.

Once again this year, we will have Delaware Park picks and analysis for every day of live racing at the venerable track. Today’s card features eight races, and first post is 12:30 EDT.

Today’s carryovers: None

Race #1 Picks: 6-5-4-2

In this $5000 claiming race for fillies and mares at six furlongs, #6 Frame This (7-2) got shuffled back out of the gate in last but ran well after that. Now shipping to Delaware and if she can get a better start she should handle this field. #5 Moon Me Again  (5-2) was claimed last time out and will now make her first start for Elliot Sullivan, whose horses have won at a 21% clip in 61 attempts on first after a claim. #4 Protomagic (9-5) was claimed last time out when she ran well with a 64 speed rating. She should be in the mix.

Race #2 Picks: 1-6-4-7

In this $38,000 maiden Race for two-year-old fillies at six furlongs, #1 Matching Energy (2-1) was working well and then stretched her legs on the turf. Will now move back to the dirt and she looks well prepped to take the top money today. #6 Old Bay (3-1) ran well with a 50 speed rating in her debut race, and she should improve today. #4 Speightfulelection (6-1) has been working very well and should be considered.

Race #3 Picks: 1-5-9-3

 In this $16,000 N2L claiming race at about seven and a half furlongs on the turf, #1 Lying Jeff (12-1) was pulled up in last but has some good turf races in his past performances. He isn’t facing any monsters today, and we have him on top. #5 Carico (8-1) won last time in a maiden claiming race that was taken off the turf. Both his starts have been moved from turf to dirt. He will most likely will get a chance to run on the grass today. If #9 Spanish Czar (8-1) draws in he must be considered. He has shown speed at this level but has faded in the stretch. He may hold on against this group.

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Race #4 Picks: 2-1-6-3

In this $6250 race for fillies and mares at one mile and 70 yards, #2 Chalk Hill (8-1) has three wins at Delaware Park and will be running late. We think this filly may surprise today. #1 Dia De Sol (5-2) will be trainer Alfredo Velazquez’s first starter of the Delaware meet. This Parx shipper could be in the mix if she gets back to the form she had when running in Tampa earlier this year. #6 Suiko (9-5) will be making her third start of the season. She won a claiming race two back and should be a factor today.

Race #5 Picks: 9-3-4-6

In this $25,000 maiden optional claiming race at about five furlongs on the turf, #9 Mataro (5-1) showed some speed in turf sprints last year and almost won this year on the dirt in his first start of the year. Now he is coming to Delaware and returning to turf. If he draws in, we have him on top. #3 Prince of Chill (4-1) ran evenly in a turf route race in last and is now cutting back to five furlongs.  That race helped his endurance, and we look for him to fight for the lead today. One to consider. #4 Holla At Your Boy (7-2) has run well in several maiden turf sprints and is now dropping down and is a definite contender.

Joe’s Notes

  • Two wins apiece for trainers Robert Smith and Jose Ramirez…
  • Owner-trainer Kerri Raven unveiled Minnesota-bred A Primera Vista, a $70,000 yearling who won nicely at first asking sprinting on the turf Thursday…

Race #6 Picks: 4-5-6-1

In this $20,000 claiming race at one mile, #4 Grand Pick (5-2) beat a couple of the foes he will face today back in June. There is no reason for them to turn the tables, and we think he can win again if he repeats that race. #5 Alvy (9-5) won a race that was taken off the turf before running third to Grand Pick.  This is a very consistent horse that seldom runs a bad race and is a top contender today. #6 Hellman (6-1) will ship from Maryland to make his debut at Delaware. He will be running late and passing horses who are tiring.

Race #7 Picks: 5-3-2-4

In this $28,000 second-level allowance for fillies and mares at about five furlongs on the turf, #5 Twirling Savi (3-1) rallied late in last after an eight-month break. She should improve today, and if she can match the race she had at Keeneland last year, she has a shot to win today. #3 Lady Irvine (2-1) won two straight at Monmouth before being overmatched in the Blue Sparkler Stakes. Now coming to Delaware and entered at a level where she can be competitive, she has a chance for top money today. #2 Above the Limit (6-1) is a speedster who will get the lead and will be trying to hold on late. One to consider.

Race #8 Picks: 5-1-2-4

In this $6250 claiming race for fillies and mares at 5 ½ furlongs, #5 Peace Be With Q (7-2) is an improving three-year-old who fits well here. She is coming from Parx where she was showing early speed but fading. Delaware’s speed-favoring track should help her. #1 Gleaming Brutality (8-5) has some early foot but has been fading. The drop to $6250 should help her chances today. She will be placed forward and fits well here. #2 Mo Stylish (3-1) won her last two and is in excellent form. If she repeats those races, she will make an impact today.

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